Toma Rani Saha

PhD Overview

As cities across many developing countries in Asia continue to grow rapidly, rising temperatures and increasing heat exposure are becoming major challenges for urban residents. Dense urban development, the loss of green spaces, and climate change are making many neighbourhoods increasingly uncomfortable and, in some cases, hazardous to health and well-being. These challenges are particularly acute in tropical cities, where high population densities and limited green infrastructure can intensify heat stress.

My PhD research investigates how urban form and vegetation interact to influence urban heat, microclimate, and thermal comfort in rapidly urbanising cities, with a particular focus on Dhaka and other Bangladeshi cities. I examine how different urban environments shape people’s exposure to heat and explore how trees, parks, and other forms of urban greenery can help create cooler and more comfortable urban spaces.

The research combines satellite observations, field measurements, climate analysis, and community-based assessments to better understand how people experience urban heat in their daily lives. By linking scientific measurements with human perceptions of thermal comfort, the project seeks to identify practical and locally appropriate solutions for reducing heat stress and improving urban living conditions.

Ultimately, this work aims to support sustainable urban planning and climate adaptation in Bangladesh and other rapidly urbanising tropical countries. The findings will help planners and decision-makers design greener, healthier, and more climate-resilient cities that enhance quality of life and reduce the impacts of a warming climate.